Toy Apparatus And Methods Of Manufacture And Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A toy or game apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means. User actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake. The vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed.

The invention to which this application relates is an apparatus in the form of a toy, game or plaything and methods of manufacture and use thereof.

Although the following description refers exclusively to a children's toy and the use thereof, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could also be used in adult adaptations and/or the like and is not limited to toys for children.

It is known to provide children's toys or games with a figure or character movement of which is actuated or caused by a trigger, often coupled to a timer.

Often such toys are relatively simple and only include movement in one direction. For example the popular game Buckaroo™ whereby placing items on a mule figure can cause the figure to kick or buck and thus the user placing that particular item loses the game.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus that addresses the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing an apparatus that addresses the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

It is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using an apparatus that addresses the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a toy or game apparatus, said apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means, wherein user actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake, said vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed.

In a preferred embodiment user actuation of the trigger means occasionally causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake. Typically actuation of the trigger means only causes shaking and/or vibrating of the character member occasionally and/or some of the time.

Further typically occasionally, or occasional actuation means that each and/or every actuation of the trigger means does not result in the figure or character member shaking.

Typically shaking or vibrating only occurs on some of the actuations. Further typically actuation of the trigger means infrequently, intermittently, irregularly, periodically, and/or otherwise sporadically or randomly, causes the figure or character member to vibrate or shake.

Thus in a preferred embodiment the users or players cannot predict which actuation or the trigger means will cause shaking or vibration of the figure or character member. Further typically such an arrangement creates suspense for the one or more players or users of the toy apparatus.

In one embodiment the trigger means includes a timer. Typically actuation of the trigger means initiates, sets or actuates the timer to start timing a predetermined amount of time.

In one embodiment the character or figure member starts to vibrate and/or shake after a predetermined or set amount of time has passed.

In one embodiment the character or figure member starts to vibrate and/or shake after a predetermined or set amount of time has passed and the user actuates the trigger means. In this embodiment the shaking or vibrating occurs on a user's actuation of the trigger means after the time has elapsed and the user actuates the trigger means.

In one embodiment the trigger means includes a latched engagement mechanism.

In one embodiment the latched engagement mechanism is biased and/or balanced such that relatively light contact and/or small movements of the trigger means and/or the figure or character member can actuate or start the shaking and/or vibration.

In a preferred embodiment the trigger means includes a rotatable member. Typically the trigger means is in the form of a tap, spigot and/or the like. Further typically rotation or partial rotation of the tap can occasionally cause or actuate the vibration and/or shaking of a at least part of the character or figure member.

In one embodiment the trigger means includes an actuating or shaking mechanism. Typically the shaking mechanism includes any one or any combination of springs, magnets, cams, oscillating members, rotating members, axles and/or the like.

In one embodiment actuation of the trigger means, usually by rotation, coils and/or creates more tension in a spring associated with the shaking mechanism. Further actuation or turns, usually by a second or further user creates more tension. This continues periodically until sufficient tension is reached to trigger a vibrating or oscillating member which generates movement in at least part of the figure or character.

In one embodiment the vibrating or oscillating member includes one or more rotating cams and/or the like.

In one embodiment the vibrations, shaking and/or oscillations are caused by one or more rotating magnets. Typically said magnets are incorporated into said shaking mechanism.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a microprocessor. Typically the microprocessor is programmed with a random or apparently random series which actuates the trigger means and/or shaking mechanism.

In one embodiment of the apparatus includes a container portion in which at least part of the character of figure member is located or positioned. Typically the container portion is an open topped container such as a bath, tub and/or the like.

Further typically the container portion can contain or hold liquid.

In one embodiment the container portion holds an amount of water. Typically, when a user actuation of the trigger means causes or occasions at least a portion of the character or figure member to shake or vibrate, this movement causes some of the water to be sprayed or flung about.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the character or figure member is in the form of an animal. Typically the animal character or figure includes substantially flexible material portions. Further typically the substantially flexible material portions form or represent features of the animal such as fur, ears, tail and/or the like which extend from the character or figure member. Thus when the animal character member shakes or vibrates the material portion also move, thereby enhancing the visual effect of the movement.

In addition, if water or other liquid is added to the container portion and/or the character or figure member itself, the material portions cause droplets of liquid to be flung about when the character or figure member shakes or vibrates.

Preferably the character or figure member is a dog, or in the form of a canine like character. Typically at least the ears and/or fur of the dog is formed from substantially flexible material.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes or is associated with a board portion. Typically the board portion includes one or more markings. Further typically the one or more markings indicate portions or places of the board where game counters, tokens, pieces and/or the like should be positioned or placed in use.

In one embodiment the board portion includes a plurality of markings at least some of which designate the number of times the trigger means should be actuated by a user or player. Thus, when playing the game, if a user lands on a marking which designates a relatively high number of actuations, the greater the risk and/or higher the chance that the user will cause the figure or character member to shake or vibrate.

In one embodiment the character or figure member and/or the container portion is located or positioned on the board.

Typically the character member and/or the container portion are substantially centrally located on the board. Further typically the markings substantially encircle and/or are located around at least part of the character member and/or the container portion.

Typically two or more users or players take it in turn to move tokens or counters around the board. The player who can move to the end of the markings without causing the figure to shake and/or causing it to shake the least or fewest number of times wins the game. Further typically when a user triggers the shaking they must move back and/or return to the start of the markings.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more dies or dice. Typically the die includes markings which indicate which portions of the board they must move their counters to and/or how many places forward they can move.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a brush member. Typically the brush member is used to comb or brush the figure or character member and/or the flexible material portions depending therefrom.

In one embodiment brushing the figure or character member can actuate and/or trigger the vibration and/or shaking of the same.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a liquid dispenser. Typically the dispenser is a spray, hose, tap and/or the like. Further typically a user dispenses water from the dispenser on to the character or figure member and/or into the container portion.

Typically the user actions of brushing and/or washing the character member is dependent on the places or markers on the board on which they land during playing the game.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a toy apparatus, said apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means, wherein user actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake, said vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed wherein said method includes the step of engaging a vibrating or shaking mechanism with at least part of said figure or character member.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of using or playing with a toy apparatus, said apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means, wherein user actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake, said vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed.

Typically where there are two or more users or players, each player takes it in turns to actuate the trigger means at least once.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a game including a character or figure member, a vibrating or oscillating mechanism and at least one trigger means wherein actuation of the trigger means may or may not start or cause the vibrating mechanism to make the character member vibrate, oscillate and/or shake.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIGS. 1-10 illustrates perspectives view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

The present invention concerns a toy or game apparatus wherein a user actuates a trigger, in the present example by turning a tap, which turn may, or may not, actuate or otherwise cause a figure to begin shaking or oscillating.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated an apparatus 2 which includes a character FIG. 4, in this example a dog, although the skilled person will appreciate that other figures or animals could be employed. The premise behind the game is that the users take turns in performing bathing activities on the character, any one of which could cause the character to start shaking. The dog 4 in this example is positioned inside a bath tub 6 which is not essential but can hold water such that when the dog does start shaking water can be sprayed or flicked around (in part on to the users) thus increasing the appeal of the game.

The dog 4 and bath 6 are placed on a board 8 on which there are a number of squares. In use the players take it in turns to roll a die 10 to determine which square the players counter is moved forward to. In FIG. 2 the die has landed with the colour blue face up and therefore the user moves the counter to the next available blue square on the board. The square denotes that the player must actuate the trigger or actuation means, in this example in the form of a tap 12, three times. In this example an actuation is a quarter (¼) rotation of the tap 12 as shown in FIG. 3.

The three actuations or quarter turns of the tap 12 do not result in the dog 4 shaking or vibrating and therefore it is the second users turn to throw the die 10 and move their counter as shown in FIG. 4. The die indicates that the second player must move to a yellow square whereby it is denoted that the user must brush the dog using the brush 14 supplied and after this actuate or turn the tap 12 once (one quarter turn), as shown in FIGS. 5-7.

On the actuation this occasions or starts the dog shaking or vibrating as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This shaking sends droplets of water over the player and indicating that they must go back to the start and/or pick up one of the cards 16 associated with the game indicating that the player has caused the dog to shake. In this example the dog 4 includes flexible material making up at least part of the fur and ears. On vibration the fur and ears flail around depositing any water on the dog and/or in the bath. The material may comprise or consist of substantially absorbent material so that if water is used some of it will be taken up by the character. The skilled person will appreciate that the game is effective and entertaining whether water is used or not and is an option to the players.

In this embodiment the game is equipped with a spray bottle to which water can be sprayed onto the dog and/or added to the bath when a square which is landed instructs the player to do so. The skilled person will appreciate that other equipment and liquids could be incorporated, including sponges, soaps and/or the like. 

1. A toy or game apparatus, said apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means, wherein user actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake, said vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed characterised in that the figure or character is an animal figure or character which includes substantially flexible material portions that move when the animal character member shakes or vibrates, such that said material portions cause any water or other liquid added to the character or figure member to be flung about when the character or figure member shakes or vibrates.
 2. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein user actuation of the trigger means occasionally causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each and/or every actuation of the trigger means does not result in the figure or character member shaking or shaking or vibrating only occurs on some of the actuations.
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the trigger means includes a timer and actuation of the trigger means initiates, sets or actuates the timer to start timing a predetermined amount of time.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the character or figure member starts to vibrate and/or shake after a predetermined or set amount of time has passed and the user subsequently actuates the trigger means.
 11. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the trigger means includes a latched engagement mechanism.
 12. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the latched engagement mechanism is biased and/or balanced such that relatively light contact and/or small movements of the trigger means and/or the figure or character member can actuate or start the shaking and/or vibration.
 13. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the trigger means includes a rotatable member and rotation or partial rotation of the rotatable member can occasionally cause or actuate the vibration and/or shaking of a at least part of the character or figure member.
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the trigger means includes an actuating or shaking mechanism.
 17. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 16 wherein actuation of the trigger means coils and/or creates more tension in a spring associated with the shaking mechanism and further actuation or turns, creates more tension in said spring which continues periodically until sufficient tension is reached to trigger a vibrating or oscillating member thereby generating vibrating and/or shaking movement in at least part of the figure or character.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a microprocessor programmed with a random or apparently random series which actuates the trigger means and/or shaking mechanism.
 22. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a container portion in which at least part of the character of figure member is located or positioned said container portion can hold liquid.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the character or figure member is a dog, or in the form of a canine like character and at least the ears and/or fur of the dog is formed from substantially flexible material.
 27. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes or is associated with a board portion including one or more markings indicating portions or places of the board where game counters, tokens, pieces and/or the like should be positioned or placed in use.
 28. (canceled)
 29. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the board portion includes a plurality of markings at least some of which designate the number of times the trigger means should be actuated by a user or player.
 30. (canceled)
 31. (canceled)
 32. (canceled)
 33. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a brush member used to comb or brush the figure or character member and/or the flexible material portions depending therefrom and brushing the figure or character member can actuate and/or trigger the trigger means.
 34. (canceled)
 35. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a liquid dispenser and a user dispenses water from the dispenser on to the character or figure member and/or into the container portion.
 36. A method of manufacturing a toy apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means, wherein user actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake, said vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed wherein said method includes the step of engaging a vibrating or shaking mechanism with at least part of said figure or character member.
 37. A method of using or playing with a toy apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus including a figure or character member and a trigger means, wherein user actuation of the trigger means causes at least part of the figure or character member to vibrate and/or shake, said vibrating or shaking occurring occasionally and/or after a period of time has elapsed.
 38. A toy or game apparatus according to claim 37 wherein typically where there are two or more users or players, each player takes it in turns to actuate the trigger means at least once. 